PICO in use

Trouble Shooting Guide

Which Dressing Size to Choose

Choose a size of dressing that, when applied, allows coverage of the wound,graft or total length of the incision whilst keeping the port away from the area of injury.

Size (cm)

Size (inches)

Available pad area (cm)

Available pad area (inches)

10 x 20

4 x 8

5 x 10

2 x 4

10 x 30

4 x 12

5 x 20

2 x 8

10 x 40

4 x 16

5 x 30

2 x 12

15 x 15

6 x 6

10 x 10

4 x 4

15 x 20

6 x 8

10 x 15

4 x 6

15 x 30

6 x 12

10 x 25

4 x 10

20 x 20

8 x 8

15 x 15

6 x 6

25 x 25

10 x 10

20 x 20

8 x 8

15 x 20 Multisite (Small)

6 x 8

121cm2

48.4 inches2

20 x 25 Multisite (Large)

8 x 10

246cm2

98.4 inches2

How to Deal with an Air Leak/Low Pressure

Smooth the dressing and strips against the skin, it maybe that movement has caused the edge to lift a little.

Once this has been completed, press the orange button and the pump will try to re-establish the vacuum.

Whilst the pump is running the green light will flash. If the vacuum is successfully re-established the green light will continue to flash.

If air is still finding a way into the dressing, the yellow leak light will start to flash after approximately 30 seconds. Repeat the smoothing motion and press the orange button until the leak is resolved.

How to Change the Batteries

Press the orange button to pause the therapy.

Remove the battery cover from the top of the pump and remove the old batteries.

Replace with 2 new AA lithium batteries. An indication of which way up each battery should be placed is indicated inside the battery compartment.

Indications

PICO Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy system is indicated for patients who would benefit from a suction device (Negative Pressure Wound Therapy) as it may promote wound healing via removal of low to moderate levels of exudate and infectious materials.

PICO Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System is suitable for use in both a hospital and community setting and approved for the following indications.

Acute wounds

Chronic wounds

Flaps and grafts

Partial-thickness burns

Subacute and dehisced wounds

Surgically closed incision sites

Traumatic wounds

Ulcers (such as diabetic or pressure)

Use with Fillers

PICO is compatible with the standard fillers of foam and gauze used with conventional NPWT if this is necessary1 .

A filler would be required if the PICO dressing on its own does not make intimate contact with the wound bed. This may be the case with wounds such as sinus’s, wounds with undermined edges and those with uneven surfaces.

Open Wounds

Application, Removal and Mode of Action

View the application and removal of PICO on different wound types:

Shallow Wound <0.5cm

Application, removal and Mode of Action of PICO on shallow wounds less than 0.5cm.

Deeper Open Wound 0.5cm - 2cm Foam Filler

Application, removal and Mode of Action of PICO* on deeper open wounds using a foam filler. Wounds treated with the larger sizes of PICO should generally be no more than 2cm in depth.

Deeper Open Wound >0.5cm Gauze Filler

Application, removal and Mode of Action of PICO on deeper open wounds using a gauze filler. Wounds treated with the larger sizes of PICO should generally be no more than 2cm in depth.

Application of PICO multisite to awkward areas – Heel Application

Closed Incisions

Surgically Closed Incisions

Application, removal and Mode of Action of PICO on surgically closed incisions.

Skin Grafts

Application, removal and Mode of Action of PICO on grafts.

Fluid Management

The PICO dressing has been uniquely designed to manage fluid in 2 ways2. The first is absorption into the superabsorbent layer and the second is by transpiration of the moisture through the breathable top film.

References

1. Report reference DS/11/021/R1 – Wound model investigation of the compatibility of PICO with a range of wound fillers and a wound contact layer. Sarah Roberts, March 2011

Following adoption of woundcare education for midwives, a change to OPSITE PostOp for low risk (<BMI35) patients and PICO for high risk (>BMI35) patients, the infection rate for high risk patients dropped to 1/138 and there were zero readmissions.

RCT evidence for reduction in dehiscence and infection in orthopaedic trauma and sternal incisions after post-operative NPWT of two and four fold respectively. Gaps in understanding in MoA Likely that wound breaking strength is more rapidly achieved, haematoma and seroma are reduced as is oedema. Effects on perfusion outside of reduced oedema still in the balance. Insufficient data to identify optimum levels of negative pressure.

Karlakki S et al. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for management of the surgical incision in orthopaedic surgery. A review of evidence and mechanisms for an emerging indication.